Female Footballer Urges FIFA To End Partnerships With Saudi Aramco

FIFA was urged to terminate cooperation with Saudi Aramco (doc. FIFA).

JAKARTA - A group of more than 100 professional female footballers on Monday, October 21, 2024, local time, sent an open letter to FIFA.

They urged the World Football Federation to end its partnership with oil and gas conglomerate Saudi Aramco.

In April 2024, FIFA signed a four-year deal that would make Aramco a partner worldwide, including in major tournaments, such as the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Women's World Cup.

Saudi Arabia has invested a lot in sports, such as football, Formula One, and golf in recent years.

Meanwhile, critics, including women's rights groups, accuse Saudi Arabia of using the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to launder its human rights record in a sporting manner.

Saudi Arabia has denied allegations of human rights abuses on the grounds of protecting its national security through its laws.

Manchester City women's footballer Vivianne Miedema, Canadian captain Jessie Fleming, and former US captain totaling Sauerbrunn, were among the players who signed the letter.

"We urge FIFA to reconsider this partnership and replace Saudi Aramco with alternative sponsors whose value is in line with gender equality, human rights, and the future of our planet which is safe," the players in the letter said.

They also proposed forming a review committee with player representatives to evaluate the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals.

Meanwhile, FIFA insisted on keeping Aramco. They argued that all incoming sponsors would have a positive impact on football development, including in women's football investments.

"FIFA appreciates its partnership with Aramco and many other commercial and rights partners," said a FIFA spokesperson.

"FIFA is an inclusive organization with many commercial partners who also support other organizations in football and other sports."

"The income of sponsors generated by FIFA is reinvested into the game at all levels."

"Investments in women's football continue to increase, including for the historic 2023 Women's World Cup and its innovative new distribution model," said another FIFA spokesperson.

Apart from that, a Aramco representative said they would respond to the letter at the first opportunity.